Is Halloween Costume Makeup Safe?

Nothing completes a Halloween costume better than the right makeup. Gory makeup, scary makeup, fantasy makeup, or princess makeup 'make up' the finishing touches to make your costume look just right. Often times, makeup is included with the costume you purchase at places like WalMart or Target or even specialty shops. This makes is simple to complete your look. But is it safe to use this makeup?

If you purchase the products at a reputable retailer, such as WalMart or Target, then yes, the makeup is most likely safe. Look for the words 'non-toxic' to appear somewhere on the packaging. Avoid purchasing Halloween makeup at sub-par retailers, or purchasing kits or costumes with makeup that look dirty, old, or improperly stored. And while you will most likely have no problem with the makeup that comes with the costume, don't wait until Halloween night to find out.

Even if the makeup included in the costume kit is safe for most people, it may not be safe for you. Sometimes, ingredients in the makeup can cause surprise allergic reactions. Ingredients such as synthetic red dyes or artificial fragrances that mask the odor of the makeup can react with your skin, causing an allergic reaction such as hives, a rash, or itchy, scaly skin. Since you probably do not want to spend Halloween night in the emergency room getting treated for an allergic reaction, there are things you can do to hopefully prevent a reaction to inexpensive, costume makeup. Keep in mind that the ideas in this article are general guidelines and are not in any way a substitute for common sense. They are not meant to diagnose any allergic reaction, skin condition, or disease. If you have any doubt about the products you are using, or any kind of adverse reaction, call your doctor or medical professional immediately.

First, look the packaging over carefully. Make sure its not outdated or old or that it hasn't been opened before. Read the ingredients list very carefully to make sure that it doesn't contain anything that you know you are allergic to. Search the internet for any recalled Halloween items. Look the makeup over very carefully for mold or mildew, and make sure it doesn't have any off odors. If anything seems suspicious to you, return the makeup to the store where you bought it or discard it immediately.

With your doctor's permission, you can do a 'test patch' to see if you might have an allergic reaction to the makeup. Take a little bit of the costume makeup and put it in the corner of the inside of your elbow and cover with a band-aid. Leave in place for twenty-four hours. If any kind of reaction occurs such as redness or hives, you are most likely allergic and you should not use the makeup. If you have no reaction, proceed at your own risk.

Sometimes reactions such as a rash or even blemishes don't show up until after the fact. If you do decide to use the Halloween Makeup included in your costume kit, wash your face well as soon as you are finished with the festivities. Making sure you remove all residue will lower your chances of a delayed reaction. Of course, at any point, the inexpensive kind of makeup could clog your pores and cause a pimple or blemish to form.

A better idea might be to use makeup that you are already used to using on a regular basis to create your Halloween look. You can use foundation, eye liner, eye shadow, blush, bronzer and even lipstick right out of your own makeup bag to create many special effects for your favorite Halloween looks. If you do need to purchase additional makeup, stick to well known, trusted brands for the safest results.

For great Halloween hair and make up ideas, visit:
http://beauty.about.com/od/halloweenhair/tp/halloween_hair_makeup.htm